Play Therapy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Play Therapy is a specialized mental health discipline focused on helping children and adolescents navigate emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges through the therapeutic use of play. This program equips learners with the clinical expertise and ethical foundation needed to support young clients in safe, developmentally appropriate therapeutic environments.
- Child Development: Explores cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth across the lifespan, emphasizing milestones and developmental needs critical to understanding children's behavior and therapeutic readiness.
- Theories of Personality: Examines foundational psychological models that explain individual differences in thought, emotion, and behavior, with an emphasis on applications in child-centered therapeutic contexts.
- Psychotherapy Techniques: Focuses on evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored for children, including directive and non-directive methods, to foster emotional expression, healing, and resilience.
- Child and Adolescent Psychopathology: Provides in-depth study of mental health disorders common in youth, including diagnostic criteria, symptom presentation, and developmental considerations in assessment and intervention.
- Ethics and Professional Practice: Addresses legal and ethical standards governing clinical work with minors, confidentiality, boundaries, cultural competence, and professional accountability in clinical and school-based settings.
Play Therapy Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Play Therapy Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Play Therapy degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Therapists, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 249,040 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Therapists, All Other 29-1129 | $65,010 | $38,840 - $120,050 | 19,320 | $31.26 |
Play Therapy Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,090 in Hawaii to $135,510 in Washington—a 182% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, District of Columbia, and Arkansas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 249,040 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Play Therapy by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 5 institutions offering Play Therapy programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Play Therapy is found at Capella University (42 graduates), Sacred Heart University (SHU) (7 graduates), University of Wyoming (UW) (6 graduates), Bethel University (5 graduates), and Missouri Baptist University (MBU) (5 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 65 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capella University |
Postbac Cert.
|
42 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| Sacred Heart University (SHU) |
Post-Master's
|
7 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | sacredheart.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Bethel University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | bethel.edu |
| Missouri Baptist University (MBU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | mobap.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Play Therapy programs
How much can I earn with a Play Therapy degree?
Salaries for Play Therapy graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually, while Therapists, All Other earn around $65,010. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Washington average $135,510 compared to $48,090 in Hawaii. Approximately 249,040 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Play Therapy programs?
Currently 5 accredited institutions offer Play Therapy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Capella University (42 graduates), Sacred Heart University (SHU) (7 graduates), and University of Wyoming (UW) (6 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Play Therapy degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Therapists, All Other, . Related occupations employ approximately 249,040 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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